Mechanical decoy



Dec. 31, 1946' C, 1, RULISON MECHANICAL 1311001 4 Shees-sheet 1 FiledvFeb. 8', 1944 .CZK/@ Cf @MAM/P Dec. 31, 1946. l c. J. RULISON MECHANICALDECOY Filed Feb. 8, 1944 4 sylesis-sheet 2 Inventor 2f/0W f @a s0/2 Dec.31, 1946. Q J RULISON 2,413,418

' MECHANICAL DECOY Filed Feb. 8, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 as 1 We QW/ MM4); 4 11 En/W7 f @a Asa/"2 M/way Hmm Dec. 31, 1946. c. J. RULlsoNMECHANICAL DECOY Filed Feb. s, 1944 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Dec. 31,1946 MECHANICAL DECoY Carrol/l` J. Rulison, Baldwinsville, N. y;Applicationlr'lebruary s, 19'4'4, serial No. 521,533

`The present invention relates to newand useful improvements in decoysparticularly for wild ducks, geese and possibly other fowl, and has forits primary object to provide, ina manner ashereinafter set forth, adevice ofthis character cornprising novel means for utilizing the wavesor swells ofthe Water in which the device is placed for flappingthe'wings of said device in a natural, lifelikemanner.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide amechanical decoy of the aforementioned character wherein the head isadapted to turn from side to side in simulation of a live fowl.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide adecoy of' the character described em'ioodying a combination reel andanchor of unique construction for retaining the device and actuating thewings thereof.

Other objects of the invention'. are to provide an animated decoy of.the character set forth which will. be comparatively simple inconstruction, strong, durable, attractive in appearance and which may bemanufacturedv at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of theinvention, will become apparent from a study of the followingspecication, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, whereinlike characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation, showing a mechanical decoy inaccordance with the present invention in use.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view with a portion broken away insection, showing the combination reel and anchor in position in the bodyofthe device.

Figure 3 is a View partially in side elevation. and partially invertical section, showing the decoy in operation with the wings inraised position.

Figure 4 is a view in front elevationv of the wings, showing said wingsin lowered position.

Figure 5. is `a front elevational view,.showing the wings in raisedposition.

Figure is a top plan view of the reel and an-l chor.

Figure '7 is a view in side elevation of the reell andfanchor.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the reel and anchor.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the top plate.

Figure l0 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on theline ID-IU ofA Figure 2.

e claims.v (o1. 43-3) Figure 11- is a perspective view of the housingfor the wing-actuating elements.

Figure 12 is 4a planview of the hinge plate for the wingsy with the armsof the wing-actuating elements connected thereto.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing the method ofmounting the head on the body.

Figurel 14 is a fragmentary elevational View showing a contructionaldetail of a-wingactuat ing'element, and

Figure. 15 is a perspective view showing a constructional detail of thewing-actuating element.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a bodyI of suitable material. Extending upwardly into the body I from thebottom thereof is a longitudinally elongated chamber 2. The walls of thechamber 2 are provided with a liningr 3 of suitable metal.. The lining 3includes out-turned Iianges 4 which are engaged beneath the bottom ofthe body I. Thel flanges 4 are apertured to accommodate countersunksecuring screws 5. Securing screws 6 are also provided in the top I ofthe lining 3. Projecting upwardly from the top 'Il of the lining 3 areinverted sockets the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

Mounted transversely in the body I and rising from the lining -3 is asubstantially segmental housing 9 (Figs. 2, 3, and 11) which is also ofsuitable metal. Depending from the top 'I of the liningr 3 into thechamber 2 is a tubular guide Ill which communicates with the housing 9.'A metallic plate II of substantially the shape shown to advantage inFigure. 9 of the drawings is secured on vthev upper front. portion ofvthe body I. The plate II has formed. in its rear portion a transversely`elongated opening. I2 which communicates with: the. housing 9. prises asubstantially circular forward end portion I3 having a downturned,toothed peripheral portion I4 which is fixed on the front portion I5 ofthe body I.

. Fixed on the forward. end portion I3- of the plate I I is asubstantially cup-shaped member IE (see Fig. 13) embodying a circulardisc or plate with an' upturned peripheral edge flange and dependinghub-neck I1. A stationary tube |78 is mounted vertically in the frontportion I5 of the body I and provides a bearing for the neck IT. Thelstationary tube` I8 terminates, at its lower end; in a substantiallyoval. assembling and retaining enlargement I9 whichv is closed by theforward end portion-of4 the ange 4.

The plate II com-y Journaled for rotation in the stationary tube I8 is atube 20. A ball thrust bearing 2| supports the lower end of the innertube 28 on the flange 4. The tube 28 extends above the cup member I6 andhas iiXed thereon a duck head 22 with a pin 28 through the lower endbeneath the lower end of the tube I8 in oval enlargement I9 to keep thehead from coming off by being displaced upwardly, as seen in dottedlines in Figure 2 of the drawings. Secured beneath the lower end of theneck of the head 22 is an inverted cup-shaped member 23 whichtelescopically receives the upstanding cup member I6 and which isrotatable thereon. The member 23 includes an upstanding hub-neck 24through and beyond which the tube 28 passes and is secured in theupstanding tube or neck 24, as for example by friction, soldering orotherwise, so that the head 22 turns with the tube 20.

Mounted transversely in the tube 20, between the members I3 and 23, is apin 25 (see Fig. 10). The end portions of the pin 25 are engageable withstops 23 in the cup member I6 for positively limiting swinging movementof the head 2,2 in opposite directions. It will be observed that thehead assembly (parts 23, 24, and 20) is adapted to turn freely, aided bythe ball bearing 2|,

Mounted longitudinally on the plate II and traversing the opening I2therein is a wing anchoring and hinging plate 21 of substantially theelongated shape shown in Figure 12 of the drawings. Wings 28 are mountedfor vertical swinging movement on the plate 21. Cushions or bumpers 29are' provided on the body I for the wings 28. Wings 28 are mounted onframes 28 having substantially U-shaped arms 3U of suitable wire, theframes 428 forming out-turned upper ends 3U at the tops of the arms,which outturned portions 39' are fixed to the wings and hinged topivotally mount the same on the pivot ears or sleeves of the hinge plate21. The arms 30 are crossed and said arms are operable in the upperportion of the housing 9 through the opening I2 in the plate II onopposite sides of the hinge plate 21. Rubber sleeves 3| are provided onthe legs of one of the arms 30 for engagement by the correspondingportions of the other of said arms. Links 32 have one end provided `withloops or eyes as shown, p-ivotally connected or .iournaled on the bightportions of the substantially U-shaped arms 30. A chain 33, which isoperable in the guide I3, is connected at one end to a shackle `32awhich engages pivotally with the other ends of the links 32.

The chamber 2 accommodates a removable anchor 34. The anchor 34 includesa relatively heavy base in the form of a metallic plate which conformssubstantially to the shape of the chamber 2 in the lower portion ofwhich it is engageable. Rising from the base 35 are posts 33 and 31.Resilient heads 38 are mounted on the upper ends of the posts 33 forsnapping engagement in the sockets 8 (see full lines Fig. 3 and dottedline assembly Fig. 2) for releasably securing the anchor 34 in positionin the chamber 2. Thumb and nger receiving recesses 39 are provided inthe end portions of the base 35 to facilitate removing said base fromthe chamber 2.

Fixed on the posts 36 and 31 in spaced relation above the base 35 is asubstantially diamondshaped plate 40. The members 35, 36, 31, and 40constitute a reel on which an anchor line 4I is adapted to be wound.

Mounted for swinging movement on the posts 38 is a bail gripper 42 forthe line 4|. The gripper 42 is formed from a single length of resilientwire which is formed at an intermediate point to provide a coil 43 inwhich the line 4I is engaged and frictionally secured. The gripper 42further includes, on its ends, trunnions 44 which are iournaled in theposts 36. The base 3,5 is provided with a centrally locatedthumb-receiving opening 45 to facilitate winding or unwinding the line4|. An opening 43 in the plate 40 accommodates the guide I0.

,One-end of the anchor line 4I is connected to one end of a swivel 41.The other end of the swivel 41 isv connected by a short line 48 to oneend of the chain 33.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be `readily apparentfrom a consideration of the. foregoing. Briefly, the approximate depthof the water is ascertained and the anchor 34 is removed from thechamber 2. Enough of the line 4| is unreeled to permit the anchor 34 torest on the bottom while the body I lioats on the surface, of the waterwith the wings 28 in lowered position, as illustrated in Figure l of thedrawings. The line 4I is engaged inthe gripper 42 for preventing anymore of said line than is needed from being unwound. Now, as the body Irises and falls on the waves or swells, the wings 28 are caused to flapor swing .upwardly and downwardly by the anchor 34, the line 4I, theelements 33, 3-2, 30, et cetera. Also, the head 22 will be free to swingfrom side to side in a lifelike manner. If it so happens that the wateris not sufficiently rough to actuate the wings 28, this may be manuallyaccomplished by connecting an auxiliary line 4I to the line 48. When thedecoy is taken out of the water, the line 41 is rewound on the posts v36and 31 and the anchor 34 isy replaced in the chamber 2 where it isretained by engagement of the heads 38 in the sockets 8. An arrow 49(see Fig. 8) on the bottom of the base 35 facilitates insertion of theanchor 34 in the chamber 2 in the correct position. Guide slots 50 areprovided in the plate 48 for the line 4I.

It is believed that the many advantages of a mechanical decoyconstructed in accordance with the present invention will .be readilyunderstood, i and although a preferred embodiment of the device is asillustrated and described, it is to be 50 understood that changes in thedetails of construction and in the combination and arrangement of partsmay be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is: I

l. A decoy of the character described Comprising a buoyant body adaptedto be supported on the surface of water, wings hingedly mounted on saidbody, an anchor, means including aline connesting the wings to theanchor for actuation thereby, said line being windable on the anchor,and means for detachably securing the anchor to the' body with the linewound thereon.

2. A decoy of the character described comprising a buoyant body, wingshingedly mounted on said body, a chamber in the body, an anchorengageable in the chamber, means including a line connecting the wingsto the anchor for actuation thereby, means on the anchor for winding theline thereon, and means for releasably securing the anchor in thechamber with `the line wound on the Second-named means.

3. A decoy of the character described comprising a buoyant body, wingshingedly mounted on said body, a chamber in the lower portion of thebody, said chamber being open at the bottom of the body, an anchorengageable in the chamber, coacting head and socket elements on theanchor and in the chamber for releasably securing the anchor in saidchamber, means including a line connecting the wings to the anchor foractuation thereby, reel means for the line on the anchor, and a guidefor the line in the chamber.

4. A decoy of the character described comprising a buoyant body, Wingshingedly mounted on said body, a chamber in the lower portion of thebody, sockets in the chamber, an anchor engageable in the chamber, postson the anchor, means including a line connecting the Wings to the anchorfor actuation thereby when said anchor is disengaged from the ychamber,said line being windable around the posts, and heads on certain of theposts engageable in the Sockets for releasably securing the anchor inthe chamber.

5. A decoy of the character described compriaing a buoyant body, avertical housing in said body, a chamber in the lower portion of thebody last-named means.

6. A decoy of the character described comprising a buoyant body, aplate-like member mounted beneath said body, a tube extending verticallythrough the body, a. tubular shaft journaled in saidvtube, a ballbearing supporting the lower end of the tubular shaft on the plate-likemember, a head xed on the upper end portion of the tubular shaft forhorizontal oscillation relative to the body, and means for limiting themovement 20 of said head relative to said body.

CARROLL J. RULISON.

